Create a free employer or university account today

TheBigChoice is on a mission to empower young people through education. That's why we're offering all recruiters and education providers the opportunity to list their employment or university/college brand on the website for free! All you need to do is create an account. Interested? Click on the button below to learn more.

Whilst illness exists, we'll always need people to create and dispense the drugs that make us well - and health and pharmaceuticals apprenticeships will always be available. Browse opportunities below.

The average salary for a pharmacist in the UK is £34,795 per year, according to Pay Scale, with salaries ranging from £22,130 to £48,000, depending on experience. Medicines Use Review (MUR) and New Medicine Service (NMS) pharmacists, who have completed extra courses and gained further skill in the field, often command the highest salaries. Pharmacists with a team to manage can also expect to be paid well.

Q

What qualifications do I need to be a Pharmacy Apprentice?

As it is a highly specialised role, the process to becoming a pharmacist is a long one. If you know you want to become a pharmacist from leaving school, you need to study A-Levels that will qualify you for a degree in this area – so the “hard” sciences, including biology and chemistry, are a must. You must then complete a degree that is accredited by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) – known as the MPharm – which is offered at 26 UK universities. See our Pharmacist with Bachelors Degree guide to find out about the steps that you need to take after your degree to become a qualified pharmacist.

Q

What skills do I need to be a Pharmacy Apprentice?

Pharmacists work both directly within the public and within their own teams, meaning communication, patience, empathy and teamwork are all essential skills. It goes without saying that technical skill, awareness of medicine and a willingness to read up on and continually learn about new drugs and treatments is a must. Other skills that you will need to become a pharmacist include responsibility, reliability and attention to detail.

Q

What experience do I need to get a job in Pharmacy Apprenticeship?

Ask if you can shadow a pharmacist at work or gain work experience in a pharmacy by contacting them directly. Any experience you have in a retail setting is also likely to be beneficial.